Ok, this suggestion is way more of a ‘what if’ rather than something that should actually be added to the game, but it’s something that I wanted to suggest nonetheless.
SCP-035, ‘The Comedy Mask’ is probably one of the more lame SCPs that’s featured in the game. Despite the SCP’s cool premise of being able to turn anyone who puts on the mask into a mindless servant, it’s instead used as nothing but test fodder that kills the wearer of the mask instantly. While that’s fine for an SCP game, especially considering other SCPs that are in the game, I wanted to suggest a potential rework for 035 that could be used outside of just a test, but more importantly, one that’s actually fun to interact with.
The mask would have 2 modes - ‘Inactive’ and ‘Active’. Inactive doesn’t require any actor to function and instead serves as an inanimate SCP such as 034 or 207. ‘Active’ would feature the use of an actor, however, and would change how it’s used as a result.
INACTIVE:
When the mask is in it’s ‘Inactive’ state, the mask, when equipped, would grand a 50% based damage reduction to all sources (similar to armor, but doesn’t run out). This effect stacks with armor, leading to successful usages of the mask granting the user incredible damage reduction feats. The drawback to this is that the mask will begin slowly draining the user’s max HP, dealing 1% flat damage that, at maximum, will kill the user in 100 seconds, or a minute and a half. All damage taken during this phase cannot be healed via a medic, meaning damage taken is permanent during the mask’s equipment. Once you put on the mask, you cannot take it off, giving you around a full minute to fight to your last breath in one last all or nothing gambit.
Or to just, you know, mess around.
ACTIVE:
The ‘Active’ state of 035 would be a lot more interesting than the inactive mode. During this mode, any user who holds SCP-035, even if it’s in their inventory, will occasionally get messages that fog up their screen that Actors will be able to type out and send to the user. 035 would be a sort of ‘devil on your shoulder’ type influence that promises great power in return for the user listening to it’s demands. When the mask is put on, the flat 50% damage reduction is enabled, but the health drain is not. The user can still be healed during this period as well, making it an objective upgrade. Instead of the HP drain, the mask would be able to subconsciously command the user to do tasks that 035 believes would be in best interest. If the user is with a group of other CDs, the mask may suggest to murder the other CDs because they ‘aren’t useful’ in the eyes of 035. If the user is near PHI, 035 might try to convince you to detour there and ‘pay them a visit’. If the user complies with these commands, 035 will be satisfied and will continue granting the 50% damage reduction so long as the user keeps doing what they’re doing. If the user denies the request, 035 will begin to get upset at the user. If the user fails to keep 035 satisfied for long enough, or if the user gets 035 too upset, the mask has the option to begin rapidly draining the user’s max HP, regardless of armor, defense, or otherwise, killing them in a little under 10 seconds if the user is at max health. When the user is downed, the mask will return to their original position (the box) and will await the next willing servant for him to command.
This 035 rework, I believe, would give the Class-Ds, combatives, and scientists alike a good experience when interacting with the SCP. Class-Ds would get another tool to their arsenal, allowing them to make more daring plays than usual. Combatives would get another threat to deal with (which isn’t too ideal), yet is one that isn’t too stressful to deal with due to it only being a defense increase. Scientists would also get to test even more interactions with the other SCPs using 035, giving them more of a reason to use the SCP in tests and interviews alike.
Personally, I think the idea’s cool, but I also have terrible taste in game design. I’m just throwing this out there because, at the end of the day, it’s just a suggestion.
(oh and as a quick thing to add, juggs of any kind wouldn’t be able to pick up 035 for obvious reasons)